Slide-action buckle for safety belts



April 7, 1964 A. G. CARTER 3,127,555

SLIDEPACTION BUCKLE FOR SAFETY BELTS Filed Feb. 25, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR; ANDREW 5. CARTER April 7, 1964 A. G. CARTER SLIDE-ACTION BUCKLE FOR SAFETY BELTS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 23, 1960 G. CARTER ANDREW INVENTOR.

April 7, 1964 A. G. CARTER SLIDE-ACTION BUCKLE FOR SAFETY BELTS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 23, 1960 CARTER av 2 5v 3 2. I.

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April 7, 1964 A. G. CARTER 3,127,555

SLIDE-ACTION BUCKLE FOR SAFETY BELTS Filed Feb. 23, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ANDREW G. CARTER INVENTOR United States Patent SLIDE-ACTION BUCKLE FOR SAFETY BELTS Andrew G. Carter, Grand Rapids, Mich, assignor to Andrew G. Carter and Harriet T. Carter, a partnership doing business as Carter Engineering Company, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Filed Feb. 23, 196i Ser. No. 10,194 3 Claims. (Cl. 24-230) This invention relates to the construction of a particular type of buckle for safety belts the characteristic of this type being an overlapping relationship between the separable buckle sections. lnterengaging means on these sections can be disengaged by separating the overlapping portions in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of overlap. A cam mechanism is incorporated for holding the buckle sections together, the cam being movable to a position wherein sufficient freedom of relative movement is permitted to provide for disengagement and release of the buckle. Buckle constructions of this type are shown in my application Serial No. 511,388, filed on May 26, 1955 (now Patent No. 2,904,866), and Serial No. 560,020, filed on January 18, 1956 (now Patent No. 2,965,942).

Most buckle mechanisms are released through the ma nipulation of a pivoted handle, which necessarily swings in a general direction of the forces of deceleration under crash conditions. For this reason, the spring loading which must be applied to the actuating handle must be sufiicient to resist these forces, which correspondingly increases the force required to disengage the buckle. Another difliculty encountered in conventional lever-action buckle mechanisms is the fact that the release movement of the handle lever takes place outwardly, and swings through a direction of approximately 90 degrees to a point where the force on the lever is in the direction of the opposite segment of the belt. This force tends to prevent the separation of the buckle components, and to render the disengagement of the buckle a two-handed maneuver. It would be highly desirable to have a release mechanism for a buckle in which the manual forces used for actuating the release would be in such a direction as to tend to separate the buckle components, rather than hold them together. Additionally, it would be desirable to have a direction of movement of the release action such that the usual deceleration forces would not tend to release the mechanism.

This invention provides both of these desirable features through the use of a sliding release action in which the hand causes a movement of the control member in a direction such as to induce a separation of the buckle components. This sliding action is in a direction generally tangential to the belt, and the usual belt position (in the lap of the wearer) results in a release motion which is perpendicular to the normal deceleration forces.

One modification of this invention is associated with the rotary-cam type of latch shown, described, and claimed in my application Serial No. 560,020 (now Patent No. 2,965,942). In this modification, the rotatable release lever (handle) is replaced by a sliding member which has a portion disposed to engage the rotatable holding cam at a particular portion of the range of sliding movement. This engagement causes the rotation of the cam to the point where release of the separable buckle components is permitted. Another modification of the invention involves a latch member which is slidable with respect to the frame of one section of the buckle, and this latch member is received in a guideway which limits the degree of separation of the sliding latch member from a portion of the frame where the overlapping of the buckle sections and the interengagement exists. In the locked position of the buckle mechanisms, the latch member will itself overlap a portion of the opposite engaging section, and the latch member is withdrawable to a position wherein sufficient freedom of movement between the buclde sections is permitted for disengagement to take place.

The several features of the invention will be analyzed in detail through a discussion of the particular embodimerits illustrated in the drawings. In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 presents a perspective view of one modification of the buckle mechanism, with the buckle sections shown disengaged.

FIGURE 2 presents a side elevation of the device shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 presents a plan view on an intermediate section plane, showing the buckle sections in the fully engaged position.

FIGURE 4 is a section taken on the plane IV-IV of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 shows a view similar to that of FIGURE 4, but with the buckle sections disengaged.

FlGURE 6 is a section taken on the plane VI-V1 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 7 shows a partial section on a plane similar to that of FIGURE 5, but illustrating the buckle in a partially-engaged position.

FIGURE 8 presents a view showing a possible arrangement of belts and buckle units in a side-by-side seating arrangement.

FIGURE 9 shows a sectional plan view of a modified form of the invention.

FIGURE 10 is a section on the plane X-X of FIG- URE 9.

Referring to the drawings the device shown in FIG- URE 1 shows the buckle sections 30 and 31 in the disengaged position. The buckle section 31 is essentially a fiat plate with apertures 32 and 33 for engaging the buckle section 39. The plate constituting the buckle section 31 is normally pivotally mounted to an arm such as is indicated at 34 with a rivet or some conventional fastening engaging the hole 35. It is preferable that the plate 31 be rotatable with respect to the arm 34 to permit a self-alignment under the varying directions of belt tension. Under some conditions, it is desirable to curve the plate 31 as shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 2 in order to more effectively align the buckle sections with the directions of belt tension to avoid an undesirable twisting moment which might interfere with the release or engagement of the plate 31 with the mechanism incorporated in the buckle section 30.

Referring particularly to FIGURES 3 and 4, the buckle section 33 includes a frame formed by the upper and lower plates 38 and 39. These plates are each provided with a peripheral flange as shown at 4t) in FIGURE 3 which establishes a spaced relationship between the central portion of the plates for receiving the plate 31. A portion of the plate 39 is offset to form the abutments 36 and 37. The spaced relationship established by the flanges 4th is sufiicient to permit the insertion of the plate 31 between the upper portion of the abutments 36 and 37 and the inside of the top plate 38.

To maintain the engagement of the sections 36 and 31 in the condition shown in FIGURE 4, a sliding latch member 41 is provided which is slidably mounted between the plates 38 and 39. This latch member has the extensions 42 and 43 which overlap part of the plate 31 when the device is in the locked condition. The presence of the extensions 42 and 43 between the plate 31 and the plate 38 maintains the engagement of the apertures 32 and 33 with the abutments 36 and 37. The sliding member 41 is movable to the left, as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, to a position in which the overlapping relationship between the extensions 42 and 43 with the plate 31 no longer exists. Under these conditions, suificient freedom of movement exists for the plate 31 to slip upward and out over the abutments S6 and 37. This condition is illustrated in FIGURE 5.

The sliding latch member 41 is formed with a series of flanges td-4% which are generally perpendicular to the plane of the central portion of this member, and establish the position of the extensions 4-2 and 4-3 with respect to the space between the plates 38 and 39. Springs 50 and 51 act between the flange 52 on the plate 39 and an opposite flange 53 on the sliding member dll to bias this member toward the locking position shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. A series of rivets i-59 maintains the engagement of the plates 38 and 39, and the rivet 54 serves the additional function of acting as a stop limiting the movement of the sliding member under the action of the springs 5t? and 51. The plates 38 and 39 have opposite central openings 60 and 61 for exposing the central opening 62 of the sliding member 41. The portion of the member 41 adjacent this opening serves as a handle to which manual force can be applied to move the sliding member 41 from the position shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 to that of FIGURE 5. A bar 63 is secured in place by the headed portions 64 and 65 of the sliding member ii to increase the surface area available for the engagement of the fingers for releasing the buckle. Preferably, the flange 52 on the plate 3? and the corresponding flange 66 are continued to define an opening for receiving the belt 67.

The engagement of the buckle sections 30 and 31 is accomplished as shown in FIGURE 7. The movement of the plate 31 to the left will result in the contact of the leading edge 68 of the plate 31 with the outer ends of the extensions 42 and 43. Continued movement of the plate 31 to the left will result in retraction of the sliding member 41 to the left, which will continue until the plate 31 has proceeded far enough for the apertures 32 and 33 to drop down over the abutments 36 and 37. When this occurs, the sliding member all will snap back to the right to the position shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. Preferably, the outer ends of the projections 42 and 43 are bevelled as shown to facilitate the downward movement of the plate 31 into engagement with the abutments 36 and 37.

FIGURES 9 and present a modified form of the invention, and illustrate a very effective arrangement for incorporating a sliding-pin belt adjustment within the split frame form of construction shown in FIGURES 1 through 8. The frame sections as and 79 are provided with matching cut-out areas 71 and 72 at opposite sides for receiving the flat portions 73 and 74, respectively, of the knurled pin 75 in sliding relationship. This pin is located opposite the cut-outs 76 and 77 in the plates d9 and 70, respectively, the purpose of these openings being to provide clearance for manipulating the belt 7 8. The side flanges of the frame members 6? and '70 are interrupted at the end to provide an opening 79 opposite the pin 75 for receiving the belt. The construction of the frame utilizing the two sections 69 and 70 lends itself very well to the installation of the pin 75, and the frame sections 69a and 70a are preferably stiffened by the presence of a bead as shown to effectively confine the belt 78.

The locking mechanism shown in the modification illustrated in FIGURES 9 and 10 is essentially the same as that described in connection with FIGURES 1 through 7, except for the replacement of the bar 63 by the projection 63a. This projected handle is fixed with respect to the sliding latch member 41a, which functions identically to that of the latch member 41 previously described. The actuation of the modification shown in FIGURES 9 and 10 involves the manual gripping of the projection 63a, rather than the insertion of the fingers through matched openings in the upper and lower sections of the frame. The buckle section 31a functions similarly to the buckle section 31 previously described, but is pro- A. vided with an opening for receiving a belt section 78a in conventional arrangement.

I claim:

1. A safety belt buckle, comprising: a first buckle section, said first buckle section including a frame having spaced overlapping plates fixed with respect to each other, said plates having opposite central openings therein; means forming an abutment on one of said plates extending toward the other of said plates a portion of the distance between said frame plates; a second buckle section, said second buckle section including an engaging plate slidably receivable between said frame plates and having an aperture engageable with said abutment; a latch member slidably mounted between said frame plates and having a handle portion disposed at least in part within the space opposite and between said central openings, and also having a holding portion receivable together with said engaging plate between said spaced plates and disposed to overlap said engaging plate in a locking position of said latch member to maintain the engagement of said abutment and aperture, the distance between said spaced plates being at least equal to the height of said engaging plate plus the height of said abutment, and less than the combined heights of said abutment, engaging plate, and holding portion; and biasing means urging said latch member to locking position, said latch member being slidable in a direction away from said second buckle section to a release position wherein said holding portion does not overlap said engaging plate, thereby providing freedom of movement for said aperture and abutment to become disengaged.

2. A safety belt buckle, comprising: a first buckle section, said first buckle section including a frame having spaced overlapping portions fixed with respect to each other, at least one of said portions having a central opening therein; a second buckle section, said second buckle section including an engaging plate slidably receivable between said frame portions, said engaging plate and frame having interengageable means separable in a direction perpendicular to said plate; a latch member slidably mounted between said frame portions and having a slot therein, and also having a holding portion disposed to overlap said engaging plate in a locking position of said latch to maintain the engagement of said interengageable means, the distance between said spaced portions being at least equal to the height of said engaging plate plus the lateral distance of interengagement of said interengageable means, and less than the combined height of said engaging plate and holding portion together with said distance of lateral engagement; a handle secured to said latch member, said handle having a portion disposed within said opening; and biasing means including a coil spring disposed between said frame portions and within said slot, and urging said latch member to locking position, said latch member being slidable to a release position pro viding freedom of movement for said interengageable means to become disengaged.

3. A safety belt buckle, comprising: a first buckle section, said first buckle section including a frame having spaced overlapping portions fixed with respect to each other, at least one of said portions having a central opening therein; a second buckle section, said second buckle section including an engaging plate slidably receivable between said frame portions, said engaging plate and frame having interengageable means separable in a direction perpendicular to said plate; a latch member slidably mounted between said frame portions and having a holding portion disposed to overlap said engaging plate in a locking position of said latch to maintain the engagement of said interengageable means, the distance between said spaced portions being at least equal to the height of said engaging plate plus the lateral distance of interengagement of said interengageable means, and less than the combined height of said engaging plate and holding portion together with said distance of lateral engagement; a handle secured to said latch member, said handle hav- 5 ing a portion disposed within said opening; and biasing means urging said latch member to locking position, said latch member being slidable to a release position providing freedom of movement for said interengageable means to become disengaged.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 6 Gaylord Apr. 3, 1956 Smith Jan. 27, 1959 Spielman Apr. 21, 1959 Carter Sept. 22, 1959 Carter Dec. 27, 1960 Warner et a1. Sept. 12, 1961 Weber Dec. 19, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS France July 8, 1931 Great Britain Aug. 29, 1935 Germany Dec. 17, 1942 

1. A SAFETY BELT BUCKLE, COMPRISING: A FIRST BUCKLE SECTION, SAID FIRST BUCKLE SECTION INCLUDING A FRAME HAVING SPACED OVERLAPPING PLATES FIXED WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER, SAID PLATES HAVING OPPOSITE CENTRAL OPENINGS THEREIN; MEANS FORMING AN ABUTMENT ON ONE OF SAID PLATES EXTENDING TOWARD THE OTHER OF SAID PLATES A PORTION OF THE DISTANCE BETWEEN SAID FRAME PLATES; A SECOND BUCKLE SECTION, SAID SECOND BUCKLE SECTION INCLUDING AN ENGAGING PLATE SLIDABLY RECEIVABLE BETWEEN SAID FRAME PLATES AND HAVING AN APERTURE ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID ABUTMENT; A LATCH MEMBER SLIDABLY MOUNTED BETWEEN SAID FRAME PLATES AND HAVING A HANDLE PORTION DISPOSED AT LEAST IN PART WITHIN THE SPACE OPPOSITE AND BETWEEN SAID CENTRAL OPENINGS, AND ALSO HAVING A HOLDING PORTION RECEIVABLE TOGETHER WITH SAID ENGAGING PLATE BETWEEN SAID SPACED PLATES AND DISPOSED TO OVERLAP SAID ENGAGING PLATE IN A LOCKING POSITION OF SAID 